At this time last year, RG3 was off to the side of Washington Redskins OTA practices, his surgically reconstructed right knee sheathed in a bulky brace as he began his comeback throwing with other injured players.

But Griffin was full-go under center Wednesday, playing the role of football point guard while acclimating to first-year coach Jay Gruden's new offense and even more talent-laden receiving corps.

Despite an up-and-down passing day, there was no sign of RG3's 2013 struggles to regain his mechanics, which often betrayed him during last year's miserable 3-13 campaign — one that ended with the quarterback on the bench before the dismissal of coach Mike Shanahan.

"It's just time for us — we have a new coach and we have new additions, whether it's DeSean Jackson, Ryan Clark, Jason Hatcher, all these guys who are here doing great things," RG3 said after practice at Redskins Park.

The revamped Redskins are now focused on developing chemistry, not on daily updates regarding Griffin's knee progress or any drama involving a broken trust between the quarterback and his former coach.

"The story lines don't all lead back to me. And that's fine," added RG3. "I've said it multiple times. It's about 'we.' We're trying to win every day, win everything.

"That's our mindset in the offseason because we don't have any games to win right now. ... All we can do is win in our preparation. And that's what we're doing."

Griffin, who took nine of his receivers with him to Arizona for six days of workouts and team building in March, truly appreciates the value of on-field offseason work after missed most of last year's.

"That's when you build your foundation to get ready for the season," he said. "But when you have a hand dealt to you when you don't have an offseason, you don't use it as an excuse. ... I didn't have the opportunity to have that offseason, getting healthy and ready for the season.

"You don't whine about it. You don't cry about it."

Griffin added more insight into last year's spring frustration.

"Maybe it was taken the wrong way and people thought I didn't need it (offseason work)," he said. "You always need it. ... But when you don't have the opportunity to have it, you have to play that hand.

"And I did the best that I could with that hand."

RG3 was clearly unencumbered Wednesday minus the bulky black knee brace he wore last year. His dropbacks were quick and smooth, and his release was sharp and balanced as he transferred his weight in a smooth followthrough, a stark comparison to the erratic throws off his back foot from a year ago.

"Robert is able to be comfortable," slot receiver Santana Moss told USA TODAY Sports. "When you're not comfortable, you can't go out there and be yourself. I don't know whether it's the knee brace or him just being able to practice with us more. ... If you can't play this game comfortable, it's impossible for you to have confidence that you can do the job.

"You can see a more confident guy, especially in his legs.

"I just hope we have a season to remember. ... I feel like we have the team to do that. I hope we put all that other (drama) stuff behind us."

So far, so good from that standpoint.

"We've had good days, and we've had lesser days," admitted Griffin. "Altogether, it's been great for us as an offense. It is coming together nicely."

Explosive free-agent receiving addition Jackson stood off to the side Wednesday while nursing a strained hamstring. But he expects to return next week.